September 18, 2003 – Today's Tour of Spain stage saw another fast and close sprint with Fassa Bartolo's Alessandro Petacchi redeeming himself over points leader Erik Zabel (Telekom.) However it was a mixed day for the Italian Fassa Bortolo squad, as their top G.C. men Aitor González and Dario Frigo finished over a minute behind after being caught behind a split in the group. For Canada's Michael Barry, today's eighth place in the sprint happened “by following the right wheels. I didn't so much as sprint as stay near the front and then follow the right wheels. It's a lot safer at the front. Our team had a good day and tomorrow will be important.” Tomorow's stage is a flat 53.3k TT and should prove to be interesting for the GC men, as well as the time trial specialists…

Stage 12: Cuenca – Albacete, 168.8k
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Fassa Bortolo            3.41.49
(45.66 km/h)
2. Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Telekom
3. Fred Rodriguez (USA) Saunier Duval-Vini Caldirola
4. Alessandro Bertolini (Ita) Alessio
5. Raphael Schweda (Ger) Team Bianchi
6. Angel Vicioso (Spa) O.N.C.E.-Eroski
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com
8. Michael Barry (Can) US Postal-Berry Floor
9. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank
10. Oscar Sevilla (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca

Overall:

1. Isidro Nozal (Spa) O.N.C.E.-Eroski              40.54.29
2. Igor Gonzalez De Galdeano (Spa) O.N.C.E.-Eroski          1.48
3. Manuel Beltran (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor            3.03
4. Roberto Heras (Spa) US Postal-Berry Floor             3.28
5. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com               3.40
6. Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank                 4.04
7. Dario Frigo (Ita) Fassa Bortolo                  4.14
8. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca            5.06
9. Aitor Gonzalez (Spa) Fassa Bortolo                5.09
10. Unai Osa (Spa) iBanesto.com                   5.23

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56 Michael Barry (Can) US Postal-Berry Floor